K-P to develop agri sector on modern lines

Chief minister orders saffron, olive cultivation across the province

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Sunday chaired an important meeting of the Agriculture Department in which vital policy decisions were taken to develop the agriculture sector on modern lines in the province.

The Chief Minister directed innovative measures in order to have maximum production at minimum cost, adding that modern farming technology should be introduced and the field of research in agriculture should be aligned with contemporary requirements for this purpose.

He further directed collecting detailed data of agricultural lands across the province and to take necessary steps for the cultivation of saffron in suitable lands next season, adding that saffron crops being grown in neighbouring countries should also be evaluated in order to have better production.

He also urged authorities to ensure useful utilization of available agricultural land in the province so as to make it an effective source of income for the provincial government. He directed that the Agriculture Department should cultivate land itself instead of giving these agricultural lands on contracts and leases. However, he said that farmers should also be encouraged to cultivate saffron in the land suitable for the purpose.

The Chief Minister further directed them to initiate a wild olive grafting programme in the merged districts. He underlined the need for the construction of small artificial dams to cultivate vegetables in the districts where there is shortage of water, adding that the drip irrigation system can also be introduced in such areas. He said agricultural activities should be carried out keeping in view the specific climatic conditions and other related aspects of different regions of the province.

Self-sufficiency in agricultural production is much needed to control prevailing inflation, he said, and added that his government would extend its all-out support to the Agriculture Department for the purpose. He directed the department to take special steps for promoting horticulture and to carry out a survey for planting suitable fruit trees in every district of the province.

Moreover, he ordered complete transparency in donor-assisted projects in addition to setting up an effective coordination mechanism between the Department of Agriculture and other related departments, and to establish different wings in the department with specific roles and responsibilities for achieving sustainable goals as per the priorities of the incumbent provincial government.

Gandapur made clear that food security was one of the foremost priorities of his government and that concerted and integrated efforts were needed to ensure speedy implementation of the CRBC and other major projects in the sector.

The provincial government would extend its all-out support for the purpose, he concluded. Provincial Minister for Agriculture Muhammad Sajad, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Amjad Ali Khan, Agriculture Secretary Javed Marwat and other relevant officials attended the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th, 2024.